These days more and more people are able to have second homes. When purchasing or building a second home, there are special needs to consider that are different than the needs of a first home. Dale Mulfinger, FAIA, is a principal in the firm SALA Architects, Inc. here in Minneapolis. He has recently authored a book focused on second homes entitled "The Getaway Home." The book considers many different aspects of second homes and explores the many styles to consider. Here are two different homes we've featured because they each show a way to optimize certain aspects of their properties.

Celebrating the Forces of Nature

Five days after David and Sally Gregory Kohlstedt bought a magnificent, pine-studded lot on a pristine lake, a fierce storm blew through and leveled almost every tree on the site, leaving behind a tangle of fallen tree trunks. The Kohlstedts contemplated whether they'd still build their getaway, because the once-wooded site near the U.S.-Canadian border had been so transformed. but when architect dale Mulfinger visited shortly after the blow-down, he was touched by the visual cacophony and was inspired to design a cabin in response to what he saw.

The couple, both geology professors in Minnesota, had chosen the property for its topographical drama and view of the lake. Now, the two astute observers of the earth's majestic beauty are witness to another natural wonder: the cycle of recovery as the forest regenerates. The cabin itself is a fusion of contrasting shapes, creating a memorial to the tempest that will endure even when traces of the storm's wrath can no longer be seen in the surrounding land. 

The Legacy of Chaos

The Kohlstedt's original idea had been to build a simple one- bedroom cabin with a loft. From the driveway, the getaway looks like a traditional cabin with a screened porch. But up close, it's evident that the cabin is no simple rectangle but a whimsical trapezoid-a visual statement meant to honor the storm's impact on the site. Colors and materials used on the exterior of the cabin also give a nod to nature. the forest-green siding reflects new growth found in the midst of now-gray wood downed in the wake of the storm. the window trim, and braces under the roof overhangs on one side of the cabin are red, inspired by the birch foundlings in the forest. And one corner of the front porch is held up by a 6-ft. section of a tree trunk from the site, recalling the downed forest left behind. 

Unconventional Interior

The main entrance into the cabin is through the screened porch, which has views of both the lake and the woods. The porch is a popular sitting area, but it also functions as a place to stow coolers and fishing equipment. The porch opens to the living room, which has a tall ceiling that rises to two-story height. Along one wall of the living room a staircase goes up to a small loft at the narrow end of the trapezoid.

The floor plan creates a mix of open and intimate spaces in the 1,300 sq. ft. cabin. The unusual placement of the rooms is intentional. the dining room feels intimate since it's tucked under the loft at the tapered back end of the cabin. The couple's bedroom is placed in the front of the cabin in the widest part of the floor plan so it's convenient for dropping off suitcases before entering the rest of the space. The bedroom is also placed at the front so it doesn't interrupt the view from the living and dining room. Even with the cabin's unusual angles and surprising architectural elements, the space is inviting and warm.

Materials With a Message

The natural wood finish of the knotty pine walls and birch plywood ceiling create a joyful feeling inside. The wood connects the interior to the surrounding landscape while offering protection and refuge for those seeking rest and relaxation. Even the slate flooring looks like the native ledge rock right outside the windows.

For two scientists passionate about evolution, the view through the floor-to-ceiling windows toward new growth amid the jumble of felled tree limbs is a gratifying sight. That these windows are arranged in an unconventional manner pays tribute to the unpredictable forces that created the scene beyond.

A New Porch Cabin

Lakeside vacations have always played an important part in Meg Sirianni's life. Nearly every summer weekend from the time she was five years old, Meg's parents would pack the kids into the station wagon for a four-hour drive to the family's log-sided getaway cabin in western Wisconsin. With three children of her own and sweet memories of childhood summers still fresh in her mind, she asked architect dale Mulfinger to design a cottage reminiscent of the cabin where she spent such happy times with her family.

Meg's own oasis is on a wooded lot just across the lake from her parent's storybook cabin. relying in part on dale's many years studying traditional cabin architecture, together they designed a vacation home that fulfills Meg's dreams.

Living on the Porch

The 2,000 sq. ft. cabin, though modest by many second-home standards, has plenty of room for guests. to accommodate get-togethers, the screened porch wraps around three sides of the cabin and is the largest space in the house.

The design of the porch was inspired by cabins of the early 1900s. old-fashioned porch cabins let weekenders visiting from the city sit outside and enjoy the country fresh air, even if it rained all weekend long. At Meg's cabin, the crackling fire may draw guests into the living room during the coolest weather, but the porch is where visitors spend most of their time, whether it's napping or watching from afar while the kids play near the lake.

Built-in Privacy

The cabin's design accommodates family and friends, yet the Siriannis and their guests can always find an intimate space for some quiet time and solitude. The living room, nestled in the center of the cabin, is large but serves as a cozy gathering spot because it's wrapped in wood- flooring, walls, and ceiling- and illuminated with subdued lighting. Other smaller rooms, such as the dining area, kitchen, bunk room, and back hallway, surround the living space, adding to its protected feeling.

Meg's original plan was to have her bedroom near the porch, but she fell in love with the attic room that was originally planned as a bunk room. She laid claim to it because it's quiet and has great views of the lake, and now it's off-limits to family. The window seat near the stone fireplace is Meg's favorite place to curl up and remember seasons past while watching her children down at the lake making their own summertime memories.

"The Getaway Home" is available through Taunton Press. For more information please visit their website at www.taunton.com or call 1-800-888-8286.